Craig Berube made a very puzzling decision at practice on Saturday as he tried to figure out how to get Nick Robertson going.
The Toronto head coach is known for tinkering with his lineups, and while it has led to some successes, other times it has failed such as when William Nylander was supposed to move to center.
He also has to contend with a bunch of players who have not played up to their potential whatsoever, and things need a change. Well, leave it to Berube to change things but this one is a bit odd, to say the least.
Per Nick Barden of The Hockey News on X, Craig Berube's lineup had a drastically different look to it as Nick Robertson slid onto the second line with Pontus Holmberg and William Nylander.
Why Is Nick Robertson On Line 2?
Personally, I have no idea. Robertson has done nothing to warrant the placement regardless of trying to spark offense.
Fans don't like him, former Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke doesn't like him, and he did himself no favors when he held out for a trade only to have such a disastrous outcome a few months later.
I understand why Berube would try to get Robertson going. After scoring 14 goals last season in limited ice time, Nick Robertson should have been able to build off that. Even if not, he had five preseason goals and looked motivated and excited under a new head coach.
Well, you have to also prove yourself and Nick Robertson hasn't. This is his last chance because he's been given every opportunity to succeed and failed.
Why It's Nick Robertson's Last Chance
Besides the obvious, there are just too many forwards for Robertson to compete with. The only reason he's getting this chance is because of the Maple Leafs' injuries and there is no reason otherwise why he should slide in ahead of Fraser Minten, Nikita Grebenkin, or Alex Nylander.
If any one of those three start to take off, it's over for Robertson. Yes he's not really expensive, and there's the potential he somehow puts it together but that potential is also a great bargaining chip.
Any team thinking they can turn around Robertson's career will be jumping at the chance, such as Chicago, or Philadelphia (who has had interest in the past), and Toronto might be able to secure what they need based off Robertson's potential.
FAQ: Nick Robertson's Last Chance With the Toronto Maple Leafs
Q1: Why is this Nick Robertson's last chance?
A1: He hasn't shown he deserves a spot on the roster with so many other players who do a much better job, and who can actually produce offensively.
Nick Robertson has loads of potential but hasn't lived up to it and Toronto can't afford to keep playing a player who doesn't perform.
Q2: Will Nick Robertson be traded?
A2: The potential is high, as Robertson's potential to be a star in the league is still fairly sizable, and any team willing to take a chance on him should.
But Toronto needs to take advantage of that and get themselves a center, or recoup some assets in order to maximize their return
In closing, it really is Nick Robertson's last chance. Not only because there are so many other worthy forwards who could step in and do a better job, but it's his last chance to show other teams that he isn't to be given up on, but is making it really hard to ignore.
